While many of us can’t wait to see the back of another cold, gloomy winter, the rally fraternity are as happy as the proverbial pigs in mud.

At Whangarei this weekend, the likes of Hayden Paddon and Emma Gilmour showcased their skills on some very wet and slippery roads. It was a great drive by Hayden to set up a tense and entertaining battle for championship points.

With the rally season in full swing, there are a number of issues on the table affecting the sport as a whole. There is activity in each of the commissions’ areas of responsibility – a new hill climb series, changes to red flag restarts, leaded fuel to name a few.

Our sport runs on a complex set of rules and requirements to ensure the safety of competitors and officials and equity within each class of racing. We must also play a responsible role in the wider community. Every member of the sport must make sure they are familiar with the rules and any changes as they happen.

We have recently made some amendments to the National Sporting Code, published in the MSNZ manual. For full details click here.

The Executive spends many hours considering rule changes, consulting with commissions and the wider membership. If you have an issue to raise, do so with the members of the appropriate commission.

We have some changes in the Executive following our meeting in June, with Wayne Christie appointed to the second VP position and Janet Phipps filling his vacated seat. I look forward to working with them both in their new roles.

Shayne Harris

President

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Wayne Christie and Janet Phipps new appointments to MSNZ Executive.  Click here for full story

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Raymond 'Crunch' Bennett fighting the fight for our racing heritage. Click here for full story

Amnesty on roll protection extended to 1 September 2010. Click here for full story

Mitch Evans on fast track to F1 with junior development team. Click here for full story

Schedule Z red flag and safety rules to be standardised. Click here for full story

ClubSport championships scheduled for March 2011 in Hawke’s Bay. Click here for full story

HillClimb Championship approved for long-awaited return next year.  Click here for full story

Clerks of the Course to act as 'guinea pigs' in safety training development. Click here for full story

Safety hazard as counterfeit race suits infiltrate NZ market. Click here for full story

Fuel bladders to undergo annual testing after expiry date. Click here for full story